Applesauce Fruit Nut Cake
A moist, flavorful applesauce fruit nut cake featuring warm spices, pineapple, and nuts, perfect for tea time or holiday gatherings, offering a delightful texture and taste.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup margarine, soft ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce ⓘ
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) package pineapple ⓘ
- candied cherries (optional) ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup pecans, chopped ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a pan of your choice.
- Bake at about 350°F for about 30 minutes or until done.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter cake, consider using half butter and half margarine. You can substitute the raisins with dried cranberries or apricots for a different flavor. If you want to enhance the spices, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg. Ensure your applesauce is unsweetened to control the sweetness of the cake. Mixing the dry ingredients separately helps avoid lumps.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Applesauce Fruit Nut Cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. It pairs beautifully with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Consider serving alongside a fresh fruit salad for a balanced meal. This cake also works well as a hearty breakfast option or snack.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or enjoy it cold for a refreshing taste. The flavors often deepen after a day.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Applesauce Fruit Nut Cake contains roughly 1364 calories, with 20g protein, 232g carbohydrates, and 49g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (119% of the Daily Value), calcium (76% of the Daily Value), and iron (59% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2774mg per serving (121% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use gluten-free flour in this recipe?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a substitute for regular flour. Ensure that the blend contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help bind the ingredients together. The texture may differ slightly, but it should still yield a delicious cake.
How can I make this cake more moist?
To enhance the moisture, consider adding an extra 1/4 cup of applesauce or a few tablespoons of yogurt. Additionally, using oil instead of margarine can also help retain moisture. Remember not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
Is it possible to freeze this cake?
Absolutely! You can freeze the Applesauce Fruit Nut Cake either whole or in slices. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving, and it will retain its flavor and texture well.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).